Grading Norms Policy Effective 2012-13

The faculty shall assign grades in a manner that reflects as closely as possible the actual distribution of raw scores in each course. Grades are to be assigned throughout the range from 0.0 to 4.0 in increments of 0.1. Faculty shall ensure that the mean of final grades shall fall within the following ranges:

1. First-Year Required Courses: 2.6 to 2.8

This group includes all courses required in the full-time first-year curriculum, even if (as in the case of evening students) they are taken in the second year, i.e. ALTA, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, Contracts, Torts, and Property.

2. Upper-Level Required Courses: 2.7 to 2.9

This group includes specifically required courses taken by full-time students in the second and third years, i.e., Constitutional Law, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Basic Federal Tax.

3. All Elective Courses: 3.0 to 3.4

This group includes all courses not included in the groups 1 and 2 above, including any courses satisfying a distribution requirement (such as Law Firm Program, transnational, or clinical courses) that can be fulfilled from a range of options.

Furthermore, in first-year required courses, at least 15% of the assigned grades shall be below 2.0.

Any upward deviation from these norms is very strongly discouraged. Any deviation must be justified by a written memorandum from the instructor, and the Dean shall not approve any upward deviation in the absence of the most exceptional circumstances.